Creating Innovative Libraries is what librarians, systems and information professionals, and teams of other partners and experts do with computers, the internet and cutting edge technology. At Computers in Libraries 2012, the focus is on practices and techniques, technology, and the “secret sauce” or “extra” that creates innovative libraries.The conference program is filled with ideas, leading edge practices, tips and techniques for creating innovative libraries, engaging communities, as well as designing and delivering strategic services that are of primary importance to our communities. The emphasis is on thinking outside of the box, learning from other industries, finding strategic partners, and creating value for our user communities with new tools, techniques and skills that build innovative and priority services.Information Today Inc., a key provider of technology conferences for more than twenty-five years with Internet Librarian and KMWorld, is pleased to announce the 27th annual Computers in Libraries – the most comprehensive North American conference and exhibition concentrating all aspects of library technology. Our theme, Creating Innovative Libraries, highlights the creative solutions, technologies and practices that those working with computers in libraries or libraries in computers are dealing with today. The conference offers a multifaceted program designed to meet the needs of librarians, information managers, systems professionals, webmasters and web managers, content evaluators, intranet strategists, portal creators, and information specialists. The focus of the conference is on leading edge technology that allows us to bring strategic value to our user communities. It provides the latest information and practices for you to make informed choices for your community — whether it is an academic, corporate, non-profit, public, or school library community.

Out of Town or unable to attend like me this year?I’ll be following along on Twitter at #CILDC, and checking their conversations and goings-on at www.LibConf.com! Join in!

From the DailyNews Online: Third-graders watch as children's books are printed with the Espresso Book Machine at the Brooklyn Public Library on Wednesday. (Phillip Greenberg/Courtesy of Berlin Rosen)

The Fayetteville Free Library and its introduction of the MakerBot into its community services is an astounding motivator for libraries to understand that learning-in all of its forms- should be a high priority. Books, CDs, DVDs, computers, video games, 3D printers, and now DIY bookmaking services, all are opportunities to learn, create, and expand.

The Brooklyn Public Library announced last week that they installed an Espresso Book Machine in their main branch at Grand Army Plaza. Seriously guys, you are my heroes. The functionalities of this addition are infinite:

at the most elemental level, it teaches people how books are made-while one is actually produced!

with that knowledge, people can better understand the history of the book, through cross-curriculum programs that highlight the evolution of binding, paper-making, and hand-illustration

the machine provides budding authors of all ages the prospect of turning their ideas and pictures into a tangible product, fostering accomplishment and success

from a marketing standpoint, it brings people into the physical library building, which these days is a definite struggle at certain times of the year

promotes the library as a stable institution that can withstand budget and incremental staff cuts

Hundreds of libraries are moving up the tech ladder, even if it’s as simple as creating an online chat with Librarians for research or maintaining a twitter feed for the digital community. Just like passing out fliers and putting ads in the local Pennysavers, every little bit helps–and we’re all in it together!

Every MLS program teaches the importance of saving the paper original. Make a surrogate, they say. Preserve the original, they say. No matter if its a photocopy or a digial copy, we know what needs to be done.

What happens when the item is born digital? Archivists and Records Managers have already begun this struggle in the realms of emails, texts, twitter feeds, and blog entries. But what about videogames? Who’s there to save these bits and bites of not only nostalgic entertainment, but evidence of our skills as a society to program, code, and create interactive pieces of art?